Hair Follicle Transplantation: Implications for Cell Migration and Wound Healing

This dissertation explored the potential of hair follicle transplantation to enhance wound healing, particularly in chronic wounds. It was hypothesized that hair follicle transplantation could promote healing by utilizing the regenerative potential of hair follicles, which participate in wound re-epithelialization and promote skin innervation. Experiments conducted on nude mice using vibrissae follicle transplantation showed that transplanted follicles integrated normally and accelerated wound closure, with a significant increase in nerve density in the granulation tissue. The study found that hair follicle cells contributed to wound healing primarily through re-epithelialization and innervation, suggesting that follicular transplantation could be a promising approach for treating chronic or neuropathic wounds and peripheral nerve injuries. Additionally, damage to hair follicles might trigger the migration of hair follicle cells, influencing the healing outcome.